Halifax had taken the lead twice either side of half-time but Boston fought back to earn themselves a point in the Football Conference Youth Alliance.

The early exchanges were balanced with both teams threatening on the break. Leon Squire was particularly dangerous latching onto a throughball by Charley Sanders, only to have his effort bravely blocked.

As the first half progressed Halifax grew into the game, exuding confidence via slick passing and neat interchanges. A dangerous throughball over the top of the Boston backline was seized upon by Halifax’s number 30 whose effort on target was halted by a goalline clearance from skipper Niall Delahoy.

The pressure paid dividends however on 18 minutes as Halifax’s number 10 lashed in an outstanding drive from around the 25-yard mark.

An organised and well-drilled Halifax side took hold of the game but a series of tame efforts prevented them from furthering their lead. Against the run of play Boston capitalised through Squire on 32 minutes who, after picking the ball up deep inside own territory, ran the length of the pitch and angled a firm drive across goal which was turned in at the near post for an own goal.

Boston took the ascendancy and saw Delahoy and Aaron Eyett’s clever scoop free-kick thwarted by the Halifax wall moments before the interval of a competitive first half display.

Halifax came out all guns blazing in the second half and after 47 minutes saw their lead reinstated with their number seven ferociously firing in at the near post. The visitors nearly extended their lead minutes later but were to be denied by another excellent fingertip save by Sam Vince.

In need of a response Boston showed signs of an equaliser with Lewis McKue and Todd Devlin supplying the crossing ammunition. Sanders was then the architect of a Boston attack with a sublime crossfield ball only to be prevented by the resolute defending of the Halifax backline.

Halifax were seemingly comfortable, utilising their pace down the wing, but a last flurry of Boston chances brought the match to life with five minutes to go. Devlin saw his half-volley go fractionally too high before Sanders lashed a dangerous ball across the goal with no-one on hand to turn it in.

The closing stages saw a dramatic climax as tensions frayed. With only seconds left in the match, MELVILLE planted home a firm header from a corner following a great delivery from Macauley Britton.

Boston (4-4-2): Sam Vince; Niall Delahoy, Charlie Melville, Josh Spencer, Todd Devlin; Leon Squire, Aaron Eyett, Macauley Britton, Lewis McKue; Juris Kormis (Karolis Andriulionis 76), Charley Sanders. Sub (not used): Jack Hall.